0 to 5.5 in 5 years starting at age 43?

[sureshs]

I get an annual yearbook about local players published by the local chapter of the USTA. This year's book mentioned a player (whose name I will not give out) who picked up tennis 5 years ago at the age of 43. He relied only on watching pro matches and reading instructional articles in tennis magazines. He had good athletic skills prior to this. Once he decided he wanted to compete, he directly started playing 4.5 leagues, and has since worked his way to a 5.5.

This has to be true as it is straight from the USTA. But I wonder what really is going on. From what I have read, 5.5 level is about consistent 100+ mph serves, huge groundies, fantastic anticipation, and superb control. Can someone at the age of 43 who had never played tennis before achieve this in 5 years?

[Frankauc]

if the guy practiced a lot, like alomost everyday. I think it's possible.

[TonLars]

a 48 year old 5.5 who just started playing at 43? Theres plenty of 50 year old ex-professional players that are barely 5.0 anymore let alone 5.5. There is no way he is actually at that level. It would still be impressive and yet possible for someone like that to get to a strong 4.0 level. This is probably a mis-interpretation of the ratings based on the NTRP chart descriptions, rather than results based, which is common for people to do it seems at any of the levels for people just getting into formal league or tournament play.

[Mister Goulash]

Please... why are there so many delusional people out there? This would be like me claiming that if I started playing hockey for the first time at age 29, in 5 years time I would be so good I could play in something like the AHL.

[Topaz]

Originally Posted by TonLars

a 48 year old 5.5 who just started playing at 43? Theres plenty of 50 year old ex-professional players that are barely 5.0 anymore let alone 5.5. There is no way he is actually at that level. It would still be impressive and yet possible for someone like that to get to a strong 4.0 level. This is probably a mis-interpretation of the ratings based on the NTRP chart descriptions, rather than results based, which is common for people to do it seems at any of the levels for people just getting into formal league or tournament play.

I doubt there is a misinterpretation of the ratings though...this was put out by the USTA themselves (every section gets a 'yearbook' at the end of the year with rankings).

OP says he started in 4.5 leagues, so the rating would be results based.

[BobFL]

I find it very hard to believe. That story shows to what degree NTRP system is inaccurate to say the least. That article was more like motivational speak if you ask me...

[Topaz]

^^Did you read it?

[TonLars]

Originally Posted by Topaz

I doubt there is a misinterpretation of the ratings though...this was put out by the USTA themselves (every section gets a 'yearbook' at the end of the year with rankings).

OP says he started in 4.5 leagues, so the rating would be results based.

If he is actually "5.5" results based at 48 years old, he would be winning or going very deep in ITF world championships for his age group. I havent read the article, but Im guessing he has gotten to a solid 4.0 level at best, can "hang in there" with a local 4.5 league, and has probably entered some local open-level tournaments and figures he is a 5.5. The publication, like most others, widely sensationalized a true story.

[Topaz]

Hey, I get the skepticism, I do, but OP states:

Once he decided he wanted to compete, he directly started playing 4.5 leagues, and has since worked his way to a 5.5.

If he has a legit 5.5 computer rating...then how do you figure he did it any other way than through results?

Maybe suresh could scan the article?

[J011yroger]

Why can't the OP just post the article?

It got mailed out to people in a published thing.

J

[diamond brian]

Christian Okoye didn't play (American) football until 3 years prior to being drafted by the Chiefs.

Back to tennis. I know a player progressed from beginner to solid 4.5 in less than five years.

I guess 5.5 would be possible, beginning with the right cross-over physical attributes.

[diamond brian]

Oh, the 4.5 guy started in his late 30's.

[ZPTennis]

If its something you read it must be true!
All joking aside, the reality is that the truth has been stretched. There are probably other factors that are not mentioned which would make it more realistic. Keep in mind that this is the USTA whose goal is to promote tennis even though I personally believe the whole organization is crooked.

[nhat8121]

self-taught 2.5-4.5 in 2 years, reasonable?

[Ripper014]

I would it is possible... I am 50 now and feel I have only lost a half step speed wise. My biggest problem is my eyesight... I just don't feel I pick up the ball as well as I used to.

Someone new to the game would have a lot more energy directed to learning... and with some good direction and competition I don't see why not. And on top of everything.. 5.5 means different things in different parts of the country.

[Moz]

Post his name so we can look at his record.

In my opinion the biggest age-related hurdle to overcome would be impact-related injuries and the ability to play multiple matches in a row / in a day.

It would take a special type of athlete / personality with all the advantageous conditions to come close though.

Of course, there are conceivable ways of legitimately getting to 5.5 and still not really being able to hang properly at that level.

Did he for example get there just playing doubles? Did he get 3 victories against 3 out of form 5.0's and stop playing until the bump happened, etc, etc.....

[papa]

The key to all this might be in the phrase "he started out in the 4.5's".

However, I'm with Ripper014, especially the last part where he says "5.5 means different things in different parts of the country" - so true but many, maybe most, don't realize it. Its possible but unlikely and I wouldn't automatically believe everything that comes out of the USTA. Not trying to ruffle any feathers here but even they make mistakes.

[Topaz]

Originally Posted by papa

The key to all this might be in the phrase "he started out in the 4.5's".

However, I'm with Ripper014, especially the last part where he says "5.5 means different things in different parts of the country" - so true but many, maybe most, don't realize it. Its possible but unlikely and I wouldn't automatically believe everything that comes out of the USTA. Not trying to ruffle any feathers here but even they make mistakes.

Actually, I think a bigger key is this 'he started out in the 4.5 leagues'.

But to progress from there to 5.5, we know that leagues pretty much dry up after 4.5, meaning it wouldn't be a stretch to assume that tournaments were also played.

Again, if the 5.5 is a computer rating, they only way to achieve that is through match play.

Suresh, put the article up already!!! We need more information!

[charliefedererer]

Is there a chance this guy had tremendous hand eye coordination already from playing D1 squash or baseball?

[UnforcedError]

Originally Posted by diamond brian

Christian Okoye didn't play (American) football until 3 years prior to being drafted by the Chiefs.

Back to tennis. I know a player progressed from beginner to solid 4.5 in less than five years.

I guess 5.5 would be possible, beginning with the right cross-over physical attributes.

Big difference in the amount of skill it takes to be a running back and play tennis, plus Christian Okoye was not 43 when he started.

The OP says he was playing in 5.5 leagues, never said he was a 5.5 . There are hardly any 5.0 leagues much less 5.5 and I would guess that the 5.5 leagues are populated by a lot of 5.0 and under players. He might he be a 4.5 competing in 5.5 leagues. If his name was in a newsletter it is not a secret, post it.